While there may appear to be an inherent conflict of interest in having judges decide on judges’ benefits, and while some may disagree with the state Supreme Court’s ruling, Mark is wrong in his statement that "the private sector alone funds government through taxes."

I work in the public sector. Every paycheck has deductions for federal and state taxes, just like private-sector paychecks. Every quarter, I pay property taxes, just like my neighbors. My store receipts have a line for sales tax paid, between subtotal and total. We all pay taxes.

Furthermore, the characterization of all public employees as Orwell’s pigs — "more equal than others" — is misguided. Invidious comparisons such as these wrongly defame a lot of good people.

Disagree with the Supreme Court, but don’t disparage all public employees in your argument.